Photographer's Note

WHAT YOU SEE HERE
This photograph presents two structures: a cathedral and a museum interconnected with a bridge. They are located in the area of Dublin which has some remains from the Viking times.
Surprisingly the building which has a cross on top of it (left) is the museum and the one with the rooster on the tower (right) is the cathedral.

Christ Church Cathedral was established by the Hiberno-Norse king of Dublin, Sitric "Silkbeard", and the first bishop of Dublin, Dunan. It was rebuilt by the Anglo-Norman archbishop, John Cumin in 1186. It is the cathedral for the Church of Ireland (Anglican) diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. By the 19th century it was in a bad state, but was completely remodelled by architect George Street in the 1870s.
The bridge to the Synod Hall (in the left) was added when the cathedral was being rebuilt in the 1870s.
Synod Hall was up to 1983 a home to the ruling body of the Church of Ireland, then a nightclub (!). Currently it is a site of Dublinia exhibition which presents a Viking and Medieval times in Dublin.

CHOOSING THE LIGHT
Christ Church Cathedral is one of the most interesting buildings in Dublin. I would personally include it in the top 5 things to see in the city and one of the most characteristic and unique pieces of architecture here. I have already presented it in a daylight CLICK HERE. I always wanted to photograph it at the blue hour together with the Dublinia museum (building in the left). I knew it won’t be easy as there is a busy street in front of the church. An additional complication was the fact that the cathedral was very well lit while the Dublinia museum was almost completely dark. Well lit objects come out very well at the blue hour but those which are not lit at all are better photographed either before or after blue hour. The challenge was how to photograph both of them together. I decided to take the photo just before the actual blue hour when some details of the museum were still visible and the cathedral was not too bright. Of course it still did not look that good. After the perspective correction and white balance adjustment I decided to make a pseudo-HDR from a single shot. I don’t even record multiple shots when a street or other type of movement is involved as the results are not natural. HDR increased the graphic effect especially on the museum which was completely covered in shade, at the same time it helped me to decrease the burned elements on the cathedral. I thought result is interesting although I consider repeating it.

Hi Mariusz,
This picture reminds me the visit of Barack Obama because I heard his speech on a giant screen nearby when he visited Dublin last year ! A very good POV on this beautiful architecture. The panoramic format fits very well with the subjects. The articifal lights make the buildings very beautiful. It looks like you found the solution to workaround cloudy weather in Ireland : take pictures at blue hour when you don't need so much blue sky ! I never tried pseudo HDR but you did it very well here.
Have a nice day,
Olivier

Hello Mariusz - I thought this looked like an HDR shot and reading your note see that it is albeit created by software. I presume you shot in RAW in order to tweak the exposures? I must say, I think the result is very fine. Good detail throughout and very attractive light and colour. A very attractive and well managed shot. Warm regards rosemary

hi mariusz,
this is a cracking picture. your explanation of the technical difficulties is also very informative. i have not tried HDR but i like the effect it creates.

your colours in your picture are fascinating, and the difference in illumination of the two buildings is apparent. the three street lights are well placed and also add to the effect, they are like stars in the sky.

i love the way that the traffic has been captured with the hint of car light streaks across the picture. brilliant sky colours. wonderful image.
regards,
brian

A superb blue hour shot with splendid warm vs cold color contrasts between the yellow illumination & the dark blue sky. I also like the wide angled panoramic crop. Good sharpness & the high fstop has permitted stars. Tfs!

This is excellent combination of two structures a cathedral and a museum interconnected with a bridge perhaps a single use?. Gave a perfect idea note for technically pseudo-HDR. Fantastic square, great night scene, excellent architecture photo! Great composition and framing, great perspective! Excellent light management, great contrasts, and effect wonderful colours!
Best regards
Georgios

Hi Mariusz,
The picture brings together two remarkable architectures. The view and the framing chosen effectively describe the subject. I appreciate the description of your technique potographique and treatment. The colors are realistic, clarity and sharpness are good. Bravo.
Good night.
Cordially

Hi Mariusz
The panoramic format fits the view nicely and you framed the scene well.
I like the colour temperature difference of these two monuments.
I suppose it is impossible to avoid cars entering the framing with a long exposure!
Greetings
Laurent

Hi Mariusz,
a great capture at the blue hour, with a high quality of image and a great sharpness. I like the nice effect of the lighting on the architectural elements of these two magnificent Gothic buildings, and the calm atmosphere of the street, with the lights of some vehicles. The management of the exposure time and of the F value have given an excellent result in the quality of the photo, adding the nice detail of the stars shapes in the points of light.
It's a superb work.
Friendly regards,
Josep

Hello Mariusz.
After reading the interesting text, I see this picture has been very thoughtful and chosen the best, but the result of the work has paid off and as a result we see a wonderful picture with these two splendid buildings, knowing the problems of realization even value more work done.
You've managed superbly light exposure and the result is a pretty good crisp image with excellent color, the sky without the blue hour, has a beautiful tone.
Most cordial greetings.
Luis.

Almost blue hour and informative note, means that...?
You wait and composed a great panoramic capture plenty of details to admire, for instance the blue light on the roof of the Museum
Like also the lights of the cars going, it adds action at the photo
Nice buildings and great POV
TFS
Maria

Hello Mariusz
Great blue hour capture.
Wonderful architecture of Christ Church Cathedral.
I really like the composition in panoramic format.
The colors are fantastic for my taste.
Contrast and light are excellent.
The right piece of art.
Great work
Respect
Saša

I see you have caught Craig's HDR fever - or should I say, re-caught it. I must say you have done it well. I am not a fan of HDR as you probably know, but I think it has been handled here with restraint and tact. Lovely blue tones and as you say, this architcture is among the best in Dublin, and probably Ireland as a whole.

Thanks for being concerned over my being "Missing in Action", you're very kind. And I will cross my fingers and toes for you with your interviews.

Hello Mariusz
The effect of your post processing is excellent indeed! The effect of the long exposure is evidenced by the streak of the car tail & head lights. I did not understand what you did when you made a pseudo-HDR from a single shot. Possibly you can teach me that effect, because its come out very well!
Best Regards
Angshu
PS : Any developments in the job front?

Hello Mariusz,
excellent this panoramic shot with the two buildings to are so well presented.If i did not read your note i could say that there are two Catherdals in so close distance, that is common in some Greek islands.I like the superb light and colour management,during this blue hour shot.

Hi Mariusz,
A really brilliant angle from which to take this. Although, I must admit, I can never take a good shot of this cathedral as you have done here. I did try once from this angle (I am guessing you are standing on the traffic island here), the amount of cars going by always ruined the shot, but as you have them as light trails, it compliments the scene perfecttly. I must sometime learn how to achieve this effect myself.
All the best
Noel

Good evening Mariusz,
Christians in Israel have holiday on Christmas, Greek-Orthodox on different date. We do not observe this day.
Excellent two building that looks both as churches, but one is a museum - surprisingly it is the one with a cross... Almost blue hour, still some daylight and yet street-lamps already on.
Fine depth and clarity.
My best greeting for a Merry-Christmas.
ike